The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-01-31


by the unfavorable state OF the weather,
constant rains having prevailed.
THE RETURN JOURNEY.
On January 2Sth the entire Volcano
party started on the return journey to
KeauhOu landing, and were all accom-
modated either with horses or brakes.
The return was without incident worth
mention, the difficulty of the embarkation
at the natural pier only causing small
ripple of excitement. We left at the Vol
cano House Mr.. F. L. Clarke and Mr.. Sew
erin, who were to start overland for the
source of the flow the following day. Mr..
Clarke has been sent by His Majesty the
King to report fully on the present flow.
Photographs and sketches are to be taken
at all points of interest. This is step III
the right direction, and should be followed
by systematic scientific observations OF
volcano phenomena, rainfall, etc. This
can best he undertaken by the Govern
ment Mr.. Clarke will be accompanied by
Mr. Severin who also represents Mr.. j. }.
Williams, photographer, Honolulu, and
takes with him complete photographers
outfit. l am indebted to Mr.. Clarke for
the scientific remarks on the gradual up
heaval of the mass of old Halemaumau in
the foregoing paragraphs. His notes and OBJ
servations in the Volcano Register kept by
Mr.. Maby are full of information upon
that important point According to Mr..
Clarke's observations the level OF Halemau-
mau in April, 1886, was $50 feet below the
Volcano House; June Doth it was go feet
below the same point, and July 18th about
$40 feet. Now the cone in the center of
Halemaumau is certainly $50 feet
higher than the floor of the
volcano, and is gradually ris-
ing On March 18, 1886, Rev Ed. 2.
Baker, HilO, found by observation that the
floor OF Halemaumau was $50 feet lower
than the floor of the great crater. conse-
qurntly the total elevation of this enor-
nous mass by the return flow of lava since
that date has been about 400 feet Pro
fessor J a. Zahne, Notre Dame. Indiana,
Mr.. D. II. Hitchcock, Hilo, and Hon w.
II. Castle have severally made valuable
entries of observations in the Volcano
Register since the disappearance of the fire
in the Volcano on March 6, 1886 tits not,
however, necessary for the purposes of
THE KAHUKU LAVA FLOW.
About p. m. of the 23th the Kinau
rounded the South Point of Hawaii and
steamed slowly up towards the great lava
flow of Kahuku. AS this flow has been 50
fully described by Mr.. c. n. Spencer in
his admirable letter published in the AID
vERrIsER of Wednesday, January 25th, and
ais hat IN Nv
ter in the same paper, shall not attempt
to go over the same ground, nor indeed
would it be possible to do so, as
they were on the spot and
was not. Judging from their letters,
it is evident that this is Kilauea
and not a Mauna LOa flow. AS seen from
the deck of the Kinau on the evening of
January 28th, after sunset, the spectacle
was one of indescribable grandeur. 1t
was on so immense scale, however, as to
prevent one taking in its Details or even
mapping out an aCcurate outline. On the
slope of the mountain, some $500 feet
above sea level, about eighteen or twenty
miles from the shore line, was the center
of activity. This was the fountain head. !
1t appeared to be circular in shape and
ever and anon from out the fierce !
glow of its burning and flaming orifce |
would leap jets of molten lava to great I
height in the ARA veritable fiery fountain |
such as eye of mortal man seldom |
saw before and may never see again. The !
overflow from this crater formed into three
distinct rivers of molten lava, sending off |
smaller cross streams or branches all of |
which appeared to be approaching the sea. |
The most sOutherly flow touched the ocean |
at point as near as could be estimated, |
three miles distant from where the middle |
flow had just reached the coast line
Whether the third or more northerly !
branch will reach the sea is doubtful from
the trend of the country. At the southerly |
point of contact with the water, clouds of |
steam would ascend as the molten lava
would pour over the cliff into the sea
There are three if not four distinct over
flows here, separated from each other pos
sibly by high ridges of earth. the lava
seeking its outlet by ravines or lower
ground This lava front is about half
mile wide The central flow was at the
point of contact with the sea in two divis-
ions, but [ could not determine with
glass Wh6tHer any lava ndl Deen pfeclp-
itated into the sea. If not, the contact
would not long be delayed,
To- the right of the great lava fountain,
and apparently on. somewhat higher
ground there appeared to be very con-
siderable activity, and l am under the inn
from close observation of this
part of the mountain and the glow re-
1ected from a deep valley lying between the
shore range and the main mountain mass,
hat another large stream of lava is travel
ng down this valley in a northeasterly di-
-ection. 1 may be mistaken, but this was
he impression which that part of the
ield of eruption gave to others as well as
% myself A wide stretch of country will
De utterly ruined by this flow, which IN
magnitude and grandeur exceeds [ have
,een told, any known lava flow on these
Islands.
HOMEWARD BOUND.
Having detained his ship in the vicinity
If the flow for more than two hours, and
placed her in the most convenient points
or observation to the unqualified satisfac-
ion of all on board, Captain Lorenzen
steamed around the Kona coast, and early